Ajla Tomljanovic and Nick Kyrgios are among 10 Australian players in action on day 10 at Wimbledon 2022.
London, Great Britain, 6 July 2022 | Leigh Rogers
As Ajla Tomljanovic and Nick Kyrgios each prepare to contest their second Wimbledon quarterfinals, both can appreciate important lessons from their first experiences.
An overawed Tomljanovic won only four games when she faced eventual champion Ash Barty in last year’s quarterfinals.
“It was so quick,” Tomljanovic reflected. “I played someone that was playing unbelievable tennis. For her, being on Centre Court, was like being in her backyard. For me, it was a huge occasion.”
This year, a more prepared Tomljanovic faces world No.23 Elena Rybakina in the final eight.
“I’m in a different spot, for sure,” Tomljanovic said. “Obviously Elena is a great player. Whoever’s in the quarters is doing great. I think it’s definitely a little bit of a different match-up for me … I think I have a better shot.”
> READ: Tomljanovic – “I belong here”
Kyrgios was a fearless 19-year-old wildcard when he advanced to the Wimbledon 2014 quarterfinals.
He is now 27 and has a greater appreciation for the opportunity, having not progressed to a major quarterfinal in more than seven years.
Kyrgios faces world No.43 Cristian Garin, a 26-year-old from Chile competing in his first Grand Slam quarterfinal.
“I look at it as a big opportunity,” said world No.40 Kyrgios.
“(But) I’m not thinking about lifting a trophy or making semifinals or making the final. I’m just thinking about my habits every day, just trying to put in a good performance on the court, then put in a good practice session, trying to stay positive … I’m just really trying to stay in the moment.”
Tomljanovic and Kyrgios are among 10 Australians scheduled to compete on day 10 at the All England Club.
Play begins from 8pm AEST and is broadcast live in Australia on the Nine Network and Stan Sport.
Aussies in action:
Ajla Tomljanovic (AUS) v [17] Elena Rybakina (KAZ)
Ladies’ singles, quarterfinals, No.1 Court, first match (from 10pm AEST)
Tomljanovic’s self-belief is at an all-time high. The world No.44 has eliminated two top-20 seeds to reach her second consecutive Wimbledon quarterfinal and now has her sights set on beating 17th seed Rybakina. The 23-year-old from Kazakhstan is contesting her second major quarterfinal, having previously made the final eight at Roland Garros in 2021….
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